On the Radar

On the Radar

Main Stage SONIC BOOM PODCAST Burton is on the radar. Dan and Chris break down the Sonic Boom Festival main stage lineup launch, the SPARK artist development programme - including a Bearded Theory Busk Stop takeover - and what it felt like at The Great Escape. They dig into why the music industry is starting to pay attention to this town, the real business case for a permanent grassroots venue, and everything you can do to help make it happen. In this episode: Main stage lineup · SPARK at Bearded Theory · The Great Escape · The case for a Burton music venue sonicboom.org.uk [https://sonicboom.org.uk] YOU CAN FIND US HERE: * Festival Site: https://festival.sonicboom.org.uk [https://festival.sonicboom.org.uk] * All Episodes: https://podcast.sonicboom.org.uk/podcast [https://podcast.sonicboom.org.uk/podcast] * iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/310132650/ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/310132650/] * Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonic-boom-podcast/id1856854231 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonic-boom-podcast/id1856854231] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55DN7Mc8TXUnDO0re9X0v3 [https://open.spotify.com/show/55DN7Mc8TXUnDO0re9X0v3] * X: https://x.com/sonicboomfest [https://x.com/sonicboomfest] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonicboom.org.uk [https://www.instagram.com/sonicboom.org.uk] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonicboom.org.uk [https://www.facebook.com/sonicboom.org.uk] * Email: hello@sonicboom.org.uk [hello@sonicboom.org.uk] ----------------------------------------

Young Old Bloke

YOUNG OLD BLOKE From pulling pints at eighteen to five Glastonburys, the London Palladium and The One Show, Tom Bright's path into music was anything but conventional. In this episode, Chris sits down with the indie folk singer-songwriter. Tom talks about picking up a guitar at twenty-three, selling his pub, moving to Sydney, and building a life as a self-employed touring troubadour from the ground up. He shares the story of how a chance encounter led to making a record with Mick Jones from The Clash and Glen Matlock from the Sex Pistols - and how bad management nearly buried it for good. Years later, that album - Young Old Bloke - finally saw the light of day. There's real talk here about graft, resilience, the importance of registering your work with PRS, and why it's never too late to start. Tom also shares his connection with Ed Harcourt, the magic of Strummerville at Glastonbury, upcoming support dates with The Leisure Society, and what's coming next. sonicboom.org.uk [https://sonicboom.org.uk] YOU CAN FIND US HERE: * Festival Site: https://festival.sonicboom.org.uk [https://festival.sonicboom.org.uk] * All Episodes: https://podcast.sonicboom.org.uk/podcast [https://podcast.sonicboom.org.uk/podcast] * iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/310132650/ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/310132650/] * Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonic-boom-podcast/id1856854231 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonic-boom-podcast/id1856854231] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55DN7Mc8TXUnDO0re9X0v3 [https://open.spotify.com/show/55DN7Mc8TXUnDO0re9X0v3] * X: https://x.com/sonicboomfest [https://x.com/sonicboomfest] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonicboom.org.uk [https://www.instagram.com/sonicboom.org.uk] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonicboom.org.uk [https://www.facebook.com/sonicboom.org.uk] * Email: hello@sonicboom.org.uk [hello@sonicboom.org.uk] ----------------------------------------

Never Too Old

EPISODE 4: NEVER TOO OLD Carl North has taken the long road to finding his sound. From starting out on bass in a punk band to immersing himself in Motown grooves and the raw storytelling of the blues, his journey has gradually led him toward a rich, characterful Americana style that feels earned rather than adopted. In this episode, Carl reflects on that evolution — the twists in taste, the challenge of connecting with modern music, and the ongoing process of refining his craft. We also dive into the story behind the “banjoy,” the instrument that’s become part of his identity, and what it means to develop a sound that feels both rooted and personal. It’s an honest conversation about growth, persistence, and carving out a musical space that truly fits. Follow Carl and keep up with his journey: * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/carljnorth/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/carl.north/] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/5GWObjQdrIBjSCP2YifYjC?si=RtjrehPpQgCRqPCp7HUArA] Press Play. YOU CAN FIND US HERE: * Festival Site: https://festival.sonicboom.org.uk [https://festival.sonicboom.org.uk] * All Episodes: https://podcast.sonicboom.org.uk/podcast [https://podcast.sonicboom.org.uk/podcast] * iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/310132650/ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/310132650/] * Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonic-boom-podcast/id1856854231 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonic-boom-podcast/id1856854231] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55DN7Mc8TXUnDO0re9X0v3 [https://open.spotify.com/show/55DN7Mc8TXUnDO0re9X0v3] * X: https://x.com/sonicboomfest [https://x.com/sonicboomfest] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonicboom.org.uk [https://www.instagram.com/sonicboom.org.uk] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonicboom.org.uk [https://www.facebook.com/sonicboom.org.uk] * Email: hello@sonicboom.org.uk [hello@sonicboom.org.uk] ----------------------------------------

Diva-lution

EPISODE 3: DIVA-LUTION Some artists find their sound. Leah Wilcox is building hers from the ground up. Purposefully, patiently, and entirely on her own terms. Carving out a lane she's calling country-gaze pop, Leah weaves dreamy, atmospheric textures with a melodic strength that echoes the greats. Think Fleetwood Mac, but filtered through something fresh and entirely her own. And the world is starting to take notice. When she took to the stage at the legendary The Cavern Club, Zak Starkey was in the room and he left full of praise. That kind of moment doesn't happen by accident. In this episode, Leah pulls back the curtain on the discipline behind the dream. We talk about learning her craft, navigating the music industry as a fully independent artist, and how she uses mood boards to map out the road ahead. With venues like Rock City firmly in her sights, this is an artist who isn't just writing songs. She's writing her future. Follow Leah and keep up with her journey: * Website [https://leahwilcoxmusic.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/leahwlcx/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/leahwilcoxmusic] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@leahwlcx] * Bandcamp [https://leahwilcox.bandcamp.com/] Press Play. YOU CAN FIND US HERE: * Festival Site: https://festival.sonicboom.org.uk [https://festival.sonicboom.org.uk] * All Episodes: https://podcast.sonicboom.org.uk/podcast [https://podcast.sonicboom.org.uk/podcast] * iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/310132650/ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/310132650/] * Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonic-boom-podcast/id1856854231 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonic-boom-podcast/id1856854231] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55DN7Mc8TXUnDO0re9X0v3 [https://open.spotify.com/show/55DN7Mc8TXUnDO0re9X0v3] * X: https://x.com/sonicboomfest [https://x.com/sonicboomfest] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonicboom.org.uk [https://www.instagram.com/sonicboom.org.uk] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonicboom.org.uk [https://www.facebook.com/sonicboom.org.uk] * Email: hello@sonicboom.org.uk [hello@sonicboom.org.uk] ----------------------------------------

Let's Keep It Manageable

EPISODE 2: LET'S KEEP IT MANAGEABLE Every music career starts somewhere. For Matt Kel, it started in front of the TV, watching electronic artists light up Top of the Pops and feeling something click. That spark of curiosity grew into a self-taught passion for DJing and production, and eventually into Abstrakt, an EP that captured an artist finding his voice through exploration, persistence, and hands-on learning. But life has a way of interrupting momentum, and Matt stepped away. Now he's back, writing fresh material, rebuilding his drive, and developing a live show with clear intent. In this episode of the Sonic Boom Podcast, Dan Brigstock from the Sonic Boom Spark programme sits down with Matt at the start of a new chapter. It's an candid conversation about where he's been, what he's learned, and the groundwork he's laying for where he wants to go next. Together, Dan and Matt get into: * The songs that first sparked his love of music * What it feels like to return after stepping away * The tracks that have shaped who he is as an artist * A journey through his musical catalogue Press Play. YOU CAN FIND US HERE: * Festival Site: https://festival.sonicboom.org.uk [https://festival.sonicboom.org.uk] * All Episodes: https://podcast.sonicboom.org.uk/podcast [https://podcast.sonicboom.org.uk/podcast] * iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/310132650/ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/310132650/] * Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonic-boom-podcast/id1856854231 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonic-boom-podcast/id1856854231] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55DN7Mc8TXUnDO0re9X0v3 [https://open.spotify.com/show/55DN7Mc8TXUnDO0re9X0v3] * X: https://x.com/sonicboomfest [https://x.com/sonicboomfest] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonicboom.org.uk [https://www.instagram.com/sonicboom.org.uk] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonicboom.org.uk [https://www.facebook.com/sonicboom.org.uk] * Email: hello@sonicboom.org.uk [hello@sonicboom.org.uk] ----------------------------------------